With drought affecting hundreds of farmers and their families across NSW and Queensland, a clever initiative whereby ‘ordinary’ Australians can donate towards buying a bale of hay is gaining momentum. 

Merriwa hay and farm services contractor Darryl Hanckel of Hanckel Rural said a small donation went a long way to helping farmers in need. 

“There are definitely farmers in a bad spot at the moment. 

“When it rains they’ll be right, but in the mean time every little bit helps,” he said. 

“Hay will help farmers keep feeding their core breeders so when the rain does come, they’ll be able to get back into it.

“I think knowing that other   farmers and members of the public are donating to the cause also helps farmers mentally because they know they have that support.

“It’s also good karma, when you do a good turn for others it usually comes back.”  

To date $2 million has been raised in the last 16 months with more needed. 

The target for this year is to raise enough money to deliver 50,000 bales of hay to more than 1500 farmers that have registered with the program across Australia. 

‘Buy a Bale’ day is on March 25 - donate by going to www.buyabale.com.a